Summary of the Dream Act of 2017 (H.R. 3440)

What is this bill about?

The Dream Act of 2017 is a proposed law to provide a way for certain immigrants who:

• have lived in the United States for a long time,
• came to the U.S. as children, and
• meet other specific conditions,

to stay permanently in the U.S. legally by getting a special kind of permanent residency called "permanent resident status on a conditional basis."

Who qualifies?

To be eligible, an immigrant must:

• Have lived continuously in the U.S. for at least 4 years before the bill was passed.
• Have entered the U.S. before turning 18 years old.
• Not have serious criminal records or be involved in persecution or crimes.
• Meet one of these educational or work-related qualifications:
  • Be admitted to or graduated from a college or university in the U.S., or
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent, or
  • Be currently enrolled in secondary school or an education program that helps students get a high school diploma or equivalent.

What benefits does the bill offer?

• Stops removal (deportation) from the U.S. for those who qualify.
• Allows qualifying individuals to apply for permanent resident status on a conditional basis. This status lasts for 8 years.
• Gives the chance to remove the conditional part and become a full lawful permanent resident after meeting further requirements (such as finishing college, military service, or working for several years).
• Protects young students currently enrolled in elementary or secondary schools from deportation.
• Exempts these individuals from limits on the number of green cards issued yearly under this program.

Conditions to Keep and Remove Conditional Status

To keep conditional permanent resident status, applicants must maintain good behavior, avoid serious crimes, and stay in the U.S. The government will notify and give a chance for a hearing before canceling this status.

To remove the "conditional" label and get full permanent residence, an individual must, among other things, either:

• Graduate or complete at least 2 years of higher education, or
• Serve in the U.S. military honorably for at least 2 years, or
• Work for at least 3 years while authorized to work.

There is also a hardship exemption for individuals who cannot meet those requirements due to disability, caregiving duties, or extreme hardship to themselves or close family members.

Important Details

• The bill protects the privacy of applicants by limiting how immigration authorities can use their information.
• Applicants may be required to provide biometric data (like fingerprints), pass background and security checks, and complete a medical exam.
• States regain the option to decide residency requirements for in-state tuition for higher education (repealing a previous federal restriction).
• Applicants will have to pay fees for processing their applications, but some low-income, foster care, homeless, disabled, or medical hardship applicants can be exempted.
• Applicants who previously got Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) can apply for this status unless they have engaged in disqualifying conduct since receiving DACA.

In simple terms

This bill offers a pathway to legal permanent residency for immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and have lived here for many years, helping them avoid deportation and build their lives through education, work, or military service.

The law ensures protections, opportunities for advancement, and respects privacy, while requiring responsible behavior from applicants.